MEMBERS' VIEWS ON THE SESSION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 52, 25 November 1907, Page 9

MEMBERS' VIEWS ON THE SESSION.

AVHAT THEY SAY IN THE LOBBIES. "I don't know," said a prominent supporter of the Government, "when so many important and contentious Bills. have been put through in-a.single session. .The people will be surprised when they realise the enormous amount of work that has bean/done. And it was done quietly, without noise or fuss, just by hanging on." . • - ■ " 'I ' ABSOLUTELY A RECORD. Ono of the oldest members of the House J gavo his vordiotr—"Absolutely a record session, ■ not only in length, but- as to tho amount of legislation." MOUNTAINS OF DOCUMENTS. "1 notice," said a- reporter, "that one member after another is carrying an armful of books and documents away from tho House." "That;" replied an experionccd but still conscientious legislator, "is a sign of the last day. ••'We are busy packing. No one outside has any idea of tho quantityof printed matter that is supplied to us during tho session: Soma members don't trouble to keep it. I tnko most of it home. Thistimo.l havo.had a special box made to contain it, and I suppose it weighs a. couplo of hundredweight/, Two years .ago I counted, and found'that '20,800 pages of ■ printocl matter were distributed to each member jdui--ing:.. tho. session. AVp are supposed ■to bayo a working knowledge of all thoso documents; and if wo are a bit careless it is an easy mattor- for someone to bowl us out with a fow questions at a meeting. Besides, my constituents are always, coining to mo for information. After # a: few months tho bound volumes will arrive, and then I shall give away some of tho loose, papers, and destroy the rest. And perhaps you will beSurprised' to learn that I have received'lloo- - this session,: and they, all expected to be answered promptly. The work' is heavy,' and that £300 seems rather light to balance against it."' ' \ ■ ■ : ' ■■-, : . THE PREMIER'S SUCCESS.' '•, "The , . Premier has been trying all'along to, break records,". said a Legislative Councillor, "and ho has succeeded. Tho session is a record ono for length—ls3 days. Tho, previous.^longest '.was. 150; days, in 1903. ;;Tho Hansard will bo',a record for size. The num-ber-of Bills will be a record, and so will tho ! number of ■Bills of: first-rate importance, but! the.Statute''Book:will not break tho record , for thickness, bflcauso ' there aro so :. many one-page Bills. The Upper. House? Oh, yes I An unusually interesting session. The Council has done a lot towards swelling tho bulk of Hansard this time."